Slingshot



Nov. 15, 1966 I. SHAFER 3,285,236

SLINGSHOT Filed Oct. 26, 1964 F 5 INVENTOR.

221 m4 SHAFER 74- P 1 20 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,285,236 SLINGSHOT Ira Shafer, 3815 Wilson Ave, San Diego, Calif. Filed Oct. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 406,614 4 Claims. (Cl. 124-20) The present invention relates to a slingshot of the type including a handle and a pair of prongs, which extend upwardly and outwardly from the upper part of the handle, and elastic means in the form of rubber which is connected with the upper parts of the prongs, and further including a sling-pocket for a pellet and which slingpocket is connected to the elastic means midway of the latter.

In carrying out the present invention, the slingshot is provided with a magazine for pellets. This magazine is provided with an outlet. A carriage is carried by the slingshot and this cartridge is movable to a position in which it receives a pellet from the outlet of the magazine. The cartridge is also movable to a second position from which position the pellets can be manually removed.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the magazine is carried in the crotch provided by the handle and the prongs, and the carriage is so disposed with respect to the sling-pocket that the pellet can be brought into receiving relationship with the sling-pocket when the carriage is in the second mentioned position. Also in the preferred embodiment of the invention, means is provided for yieldingly urging the carriage to the second mentioned position.

The invention also contemplates novel means for fastening the elastic means to the prong and to the sling-pocket. The elastic means of the present invention is in the form of two rubber bands. The upper end of each prong is provided with a horizontally extending slot for receiving a loop of a band. Pins are carried by the prongs. Each pin extends through the respective loop of the band and is thereby held in position on the prongs.

The sling-pocket includes two pairs of longitudinally extending slits, one pair being disposed adjacent one end of the sling-pocket and the other pair being disposed adjacent to the opposite end of the sling-pocket. Loops of the rubber band extend through the respective pair of slits and pins extend, respectively, through a pair of slits and a loop for fastening the loops to the sling-pocket.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the improved slingshot;

FIG. 2 is a left view of the slingshot;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but on a larger scale and part of the slingshot is shown in sections, the sections being taken along line '33 of FIG. 4, showing, in full lines, the carriage in its pellet receiving position, and showing, in dotted lines, the carriage in its pellet delivered position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the slingshot shown on the scale as shown in FIG. 3 but showing the carriage in its pellet delivered position; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the slingshot is shown at 20 including a handle 22 and a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending prongs 24 and 26, the left prong being shown at 24 and the right prong at 26. The handle 22 and the two prongs, at their junction, with the handle form a crotch 28. A magazine 30 for pellets is suitably secured above the crotch 28.

3,285,236- Patented Nov. 15, 1966 ice The slings-hot also includes a sling-pocket 32, preferably formed of a soft material such as soft leather. This sling-pocket is connected to the prongs 24 and 26 by resilient means 34 in the form of two endless rubber bands 36 and 38.

The sling-pocket 32 is provided with two laterally extending slits 40 and 42 disposed adjacent opposite ends of the pocket. It is also provided with two pairs of longitudinally extending slits below the transverse slits 40 and 42; one of these pairs of slits is shown at 44 and the other pair is shown at 46. The rear loop of the rubber band 36 extends inwardly through the slits 40 and a flat pin or bar 48 extends through the slits 44 and through the loop of the band 36. This bar extends beyond opposite sides of the slits 44 so as to attach the sling-pocket 32 to the band 36. The rubber band 38 is attached to the opposite end of the sling-pocket in the same manner as described with respect to the rubber band 38 and by a bar '50.

The upper ends of the prong 24 are each provided with a slot '52 which extends from the front of the prong rearwardly for receiving the upper loops of the bands 36 and 38, respectively. Cotter pins 54 and 56 are carried by the prongs 24 and 26, respectively, and extend through the loops 76 and 78, respectively, to thereby fasten the upper end of the rubber band to the prongs. The holes or eyes 58 and 60 for receiving the pins 54 and 56 are formed by bending the upper parts of the prongs rearwardly. These rearwardly extending parts are shown at 62 and 64. These rearwardly extending parts are then bent inwardly toward one another to form cars 66 and 68. extending slots 70 and the rubber bands extend through these slots and are guided thereby.

As is more clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the prongs 24 and 26 are formed of sheet metal having a reverse bent portions 72, the lower part of which is fastened to the handle 22, preferably formed of wood, by screws 74. This reverse bent portion, extends upwardly to the crotch 28. The magazine 30, being disposed above the crotch, is substantially triangular in shape. The bottom wall of the magazine 30 is formed by a bar which is carried by a U-shaped frame 82. The U-shaped frame is disposed in the handle between the reverse bent portions 72 of the sheet metal that forms the prongs and is held in place by screws 84 which extend through the frame and through both of the reverse bent portions 72. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3., a vertically extending bar 86 is suitably fastened between the upstanding legs of the U-shaped frame 82 and is aligned with the bar 80. As viewed in FIG. 3, the left end of the bar 80 is spaced horizontally from the bar 86 to provide an opening 88 which constitutes the outlet opening for the magazine 30.

The side walls of the magazine 30 are provided by the inside walls of the prongs 24 and 26. The rear wall 90, the top wall 92, and the front wall 94, of the magazine, are formed of sheet metal which is suitably secured to the prongs 24 and 26. The front of the magazine is provided with an opening 96 which is closed by a cap 98.

The frame 82 for-ms a horizontally extending guiding support for a horizontally movable carriage 100. Like the bar 80, the carriage 100 is disposed bet-ween the upright walls 102 and 104 of the frame 82. The carriage is slidable on the bottom wall 106 of the frame 82 and is guided by the side walls 102 and 104. The carriage 100 carries a transversely extending pin 108 and this pin extends through slots 110 in the side walls 102 and 104 of the frame 82. The pin 108 is utilized for moving the carriage forwardly and rearwardly. The carriage is shown and is in full lines in its forward :position in FIG. 3 and in dotted lines in its rear position.

These ears are provided with vertically As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the extreme rear end of the carriage 100 is provided with an open top pocket 112, shaped to complement a spherical pellet 114. It will be observed that when the carriage 100 is in its foremost position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 3, the pocket 112 of the carriage is directly below the opening 88 formed by the bars 80 and 86. The yoke 116 for the reverse bent portions 72 is provided with an opening 118 and the carriage 100 extends rearward-1y through this open-ing to the dotted line position when the carriage is moved rearwardly.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the pin 108 extends forwardly to receive a U-shaped wire finger hold 120 which forms an actuator for moving the carriage 100 forwardly. A spring 122 under tension, is suitably connected to the pin 108 and the sheet metal frame forming the reverse bent portions 72 to yieldingly urge the carriage 100 rearwardly to the position shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the pin 108 is moved forwardly by the finger hold 120 in the position shown in FIG. 3, the pocket 112 of the carriage 100 will be directly below the opening 88 in the magazine for receiving one of the pellets 114. Then upon moving the carriage rearwardly, to beyond the Opening 118 and to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pellets will be delivered outside the magazine. The position of the carriage 100 is such that when it is in the rearmost position, the pellet is manually removable and also the position is such with respect to the sling-pocket that the user can place the sling-pocket about the pellet, the slingpocket being guided by the guide 116. Then the user can grasp the pellet between the inside walls of the slingpocket with his thumb and finger. In this manner the slingshot is ready for use with, the pellet in position. Thereafter the slingshot is operated in the usual manner.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described, constitutes preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted. falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A slingshot comprising in combination:

(A) means forming:

(1) a lower handle;

(2) two prongs diverging outwardly and upwardly from the upper part of the handle, said handle and prongs forming a crotch at the junction thereof;

(B) a magazine for pellets carried by said means above the crotch, said magazine having an outlet for pellets;

(C) a horizontally extending guide below the magazine, said guide being disposed in the handle below the crotch;

(D) a carriage guided by said guide and movable to a position for receiving a pellet from the outlet of the magazine and movable to a second position from which latter position the pellet can be manually removed;

(E) elastic means connected with the upper ends of the prongs;

(F) and means forming a sling-pocket connected with the elastic means midway of the latter;

(G) manually actuated means for moving the carriage horizontally to the second mentioned position thereof;

(H) and resilient means for returning the carriage from the first mentioned position to the second mentioned position.

2. A slingshot as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the elastic means includes two endless rubber bands, and further characterized in that the upper ends of the 'prongs are each slotted horizontally to receive a loop of a band:

(I) pins carried by the prongs, each of said pins extending through respective loops in a slot.

3. A slingshot as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the elastic means includes two endless rubber bands and further characterized to include:

(I) means on each of the prongs for receiving and securing a loop of the band to the prongs, and further characterized in that the sling-pocket is formed of flexible material, said material having two pairs of longitudinally extending slits, one pair of the slits being disposed adjacent one end of the sling-pocket and the other pair being disposed adjacent the opposite end of the sling-pocket;

(J) and two pins, one pin extending through one of said pairs of slits and a loop of one of the bands and the other pin extending through the other pair of slits and a loop of the other band.

4. A slingshot as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the elastic means includes two endless rubber bands, and further characterized in that the upper ends of the prongs are each slotted horizontally to receive a loop of a band:

(I) and rubber band attaching means including pins carried by the prongs, each of said pins extending through the respective loop in the slot;

(J) means forming a slot and disposed rearwardly of said rubber band attaching means for guiding the rubber, and further characterized in that the slingpocket is formed of flexible material, said material having two pairs of longitudinally extending slits, one pair of the slits being disposed adjacent one end of the sling-pocket and the other pair being disposed adjacent the opposite end of the sling-pocket;

(K) and two pins, one pin extending through one of said pairs of slits and a loop of one of the bands and the other pin extending through the other pair of slits and a loop of the other band.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N00 3,285,236 November 15, 1966 Ira Shafer It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, lines 18 and 20, for "cartridge", each occurrence,

read carriage line 52, after "left" insert side column 3, line 20, for "in" read to o Signed and sealed this 12th day of September 1967,,

( AL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attcsting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SLINGSHOT COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) MEANS FORMING; (1) A LOWER HANDLE; (2) TWO PRONGS DIVERGING OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE HANDLE, SAID HANDLE AND PRONGS FORMING A CROTCH AT THE JUNCTION THEREOF; (B) A MAGAZINE FOR PELLETS CARRIED BY SAID MEANS ABOVE THE CROTCH, SAID MAGAZINE HAVING AN OUTLET FOR PELLETS; (C) A HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING GUIDE BELOW THE MAGAZINE, SAID GUIDE BEING DISPOSED IN THE HANDLE BELOW THE CROTCH; (D) A CARRIAGE GUIDED BY SAID GUIDE AND MOVABLE TO A POSITION FOR RECEIVING A PELLET FROM THE OUTLET OF THE MAGAZINE AND MOVABLE TO A SECOND POSITION FROM WHICH LATTER POSITION THE PELLET CAN BE MANUALLY REMOVED; (E) ELASTIC MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID PRONGS; (F) AND MEANS FORMING A SLING-POCKET CONNECTED WITH THE ELASTIC MEANS MIDWAY OF THE LATTER; 